The former governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Benigno Fitial has been sentenced to one year in jail by the CNMI Superior Court for misconduct in public office and conspiracy to commit theft of services.
Associate Judge David A. Wiseman imposed the sentence on the 69-year-old Fitial and ordered him start serving the prison term at the Department of Corrections by July 6.
Justice Wiseman said that Fitial's conduct cannot, should not, and will not be tolerated and the proverbial message must be sent that government officials who betray the public trust by violating the laws of the CNMI will in all likelihood go to jail.
Former governor Benigno Fitial Photo: RNZ Mark Rabago
Fitial served as House speaker of the 3rd, 12th, and 14th legislatures.
He is also a two-term governor.
Fitial resigned as governor in February 2013, days after the House of Representatives impeached him on charges of corruption, felony, and neglect of duty.
Since he resigned, Fitial has mainly been staying in the Philippines, where he is undergoing medical rehabilitation due to diabetes complication.
